The 4th annual SCOUT Chicago Festival will display Chicago’s world famous comedy and improv talent this weekend, Sept. 9-12, to invited bicoastal TV network and LA talent agency executives.
The curated weekend of existing shows and comedy showcases at iO, Annoyance Theatre and Second City was created by casting directors Marisa Ross and Brooke Shoemaker of Principato/Young Entertainment, specialists in comedy casting.
Attending will be representatives from ABC, NBC, FOX. Comedy Central, MTV, United Talent Agency, Creative Artists Agency, Paradigm Talent Agency and William Morris Endeavor Entertainment.
The weekend also includes a showcase of locally produced short films and webisodes.
SCOUT Chicago kicks off Friday, Sept. 9 with a “Best of iO” Improv Showcase at iO’s Mission Theater that features a selection of iO’s best performers and shows. $5 for the public.
The three shows featured are “iO Improv Showcase”, “Whirled News Tonight” and “3Peat.”
“iO Improv Showcase” is a group of some of iO’s best performers improvising together with the audience. The cast includes Gretchen Eng, Geoffrey Dow, Tim Lyons, Chelsea Norment, Emma Pope, Jeff Murdoch, Bill Stern, Christine Tawfik and Laurel Krabacher.
“Whirled News Tonight” is a satire of current news with a cast featuring Emily Anderson, Becca Barish, Marla Caceres, Eddie Pina, Brett Lyons, Shane Wilson, Megan O’Neill, Brooke Beit and Alex Eilhauer.
“3Peat”, an entirely African-American ensemble, performs a fast-paced long form improv based on a suggestion from the audience. Nnamdi Ngwe, Allison Ringhand, Shantira Jackson, Martin Morrow, Chris Redd, Patrick Rowland, Dewayne Perkins and John Thibodeaux comprise the cast.
The “Best of iO” Improv Showcase starts at 8 p.m. and is open to the public. Tickets are $5. Guests are encouraged to stay for iO’s “Improvised Shakespeare” show at 10:30 p.m.
SCOUT Chicago continues on Saturday, Sept. 10 with a selection of locally produced shorts and webisodes screening at iO at noon. Later that day, will be “Best of Annoyance — Scout Showcase” on the mainstage at Annoyance Theatre, 4-5:30.
The Annoyance showcase is free and open to the public.
